Desert Area Teachers Association

357 W. Argus Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
ph: 760-375-5875

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Welcome

to the site for the local chapter Desert Area Teachers Association and CTA State Council.  Both organizations are strong advocates for teachers and students.

CTA's Mission Statement

“The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and
learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.”

 

DATA represents teachers in the Sierra Sands Unified School District and is affiliated with both the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association.

One purpose of this website is to keep our membership  better informed about DATA's efforts to improve conditions in the SSUSD so that teachers may continue to provide the best education possible for our valley's children.  Another is to impart information and  communicate with our membership issues that impact all educators throughout California and the nation. The CTA State Council Report for  In-Ke-Mo will be provided here to update teachers on what has been presented, discussed, and accomplished at State Council

What's New?

Special Election: Vote yes on May 19, 2009

All initiatives below will appear on May 19,
2009 Special Election ballot, except for Open
Primary. The Political Involvement Committee
took a support position and brought the recommendation
to the Council floor on Sunday.


Prop. 1A – Reform and Stabilize State Budget
(Budget Stabilization Fund). Without impacting
the state’s minimum school funding guarantee,
Prop. 1A requires the state to direct 3% of
revenues into a rainy day fund each year, except
when the fund is full or during economic downturns.
It increases the overall size of the state’s
rainy day reserve from 5% to 12.5% of the
budget. Part of the money from the Prop. 1A
reserve fund is used to repay the $9 billion owed
to public schools. If Prop. 1A fails, there will be
no mechanism in place to restore the funding to
schools and community colleges. Prop. 1A does
not downsize government, or give the governor
authority to make midyear cuts to education.
CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1A.

 


Prop. 1B – Protect Education Funding (Prop.
98 Restoration). Read Ballot Argument on
Prop. 1B. The budget crisis has cut more than
$12 billion from our schools and colleges. Prop.
1B starts the process of paying back our schools
and community colleges as economic conditions
improve. Prop. 1B sets up a repayment plan to
ensure schools are repaid the $9 billion they are
owed under the state’s minimum school funding
law. The payments to schools would come out of
the newly-created rainy day fund established in
Prop. 1A and are dependent on the passage of
Prop. 1A. Payments would not begin until 2011-
2012. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on
Prop. 1B.

Prop. 1C – Lottery Modernization Act.

Prop. 1C will increase the performance and accountability
of the state lottery and bring immediate funding to the state without raising taxes. The measure also guarantees that public schools will receive the same amount of funds they currently receive from the lottery. In fact, Prop. 1C takes education funding out of future lottery proceeds
and places that money under the Prop. 98 minimum
school funding guarantee. If Prop. 1C fails, there will be a $5 billion hole in the state budget, meaning schools and other programs could face additional cuts. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1C.


Prop. 1D – Children’s Services Funding.

Prop.1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess fundsfrom the voter-approved tobacco tax to pay forchildren’s health and social services over the next
two years. Currently the Children and Families
Trust Fund has about $2.5 billion that has not
been spent. Prop. 1D diverts a portion of this unexpended
money to prevent deeper cuts to Children’shealth care and other human services programs.
Only a portion of these tobacco tax funds
would be redirected, thereby protecting existing
programs currently funded by the tax. Failure of
Prop. 1D creates a more than $600 million hole in
the state budget and means deeper cuts for children’s
health and social service programs.

CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1D.


Prop. 1E – Mental Health Funding.

 

Prop. 1E would temporarily redirect a portion of the funds
from the Mental Health Services Trust Fund approved by voters in 2004 to fund children’s health
programs that are at risk of elimination due to the
state budget crisis, including health care screenings,
diagnosis and treatment for children’s health. Failure of Prop. 1E means the state budget deficit grows by $227 million and means those
programs face deeper cuts or even elimination.
CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1E.


Prop. 1F – Restricts Elected Officials’ Salaries.
Prop. 1F prohibits legislators, the governor
and other state politicians from getting pay raises
whenever our state budget is running a deficit.
CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop.
1F.

 

By Leslie Littman

ABC Committee

District I

 

 

 

  

 Board Member Tim Johnson proudly serves his country in Iraq

 

                         Tim Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 DATA wishes your safe return!

 

DATA Elections

Contact the DATA

Office if you are interested in running for executive board for next year.

 

The 395 Corridor

DATA is now being served by a CTA Staff Member devoted to the 395 Corridor. We've already had a meeting April 1. This realignment is good news for DATA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

357 W. Argus Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
ph: 760-375-5875